Government refusal to assist crab industry is nothing short of abandonment says Opposition       

Opposition Leader and MHA for the District of Cartwright-L’Anse Au Clair, Yvonne Jones,  says the crab industry is at a critical juncture in the season and government’s refusal to step in and implement any of the solutions put forth is indicative of a government not committed to the fishing industry or to rural communities of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

The Opposition Leader used Question Period in the House of Assembly today to again press government on the urgency to become an active player in the effort to help get the industry on its feet in the next week or so.   

“This provincial government has lost valuable time during the past year when they could have been working more proactively to address what anyone could see was going to be another troubling time in the crab industry,” says Jones. “Instead, they have left everything until the last moment when harvesters should be fishing and has refused to provide bridge support to get them on the water citing free trade risks.”

Jones questioned government on its admission that it has an “external legal opinion” that shows the risks would be too great for the industry should government provide investment support.  “Not only did the minister refuse to table this document, but upon questioning, he failed to explain what areas of support would be risk-free and therefore worthy of implementation.  Again, no comprehensive evaluation of the issue and certainly no Plan B in place should the fishery not go ahead.

- 30 -